AI Article Synopsis
- Sijilmassi et al. propose that historical myths function as a cognitive technology that helps gather group support.
- They suggest that this perspective is lacking because it overlooks the importance of human emotions.
- The authors argue that emotion-driven narratives are crucial in fostering teamwork and unity among large groups of people.
Article Abstract
Sijilmassi et al. offer a cognitive account of historical myths, which they present as a cognitive technology designed to recruit coalitional support. We argue this account is incomplete, and that a comprehensive explanation of historical myths must include a central role for human emotions. In particular, emotion-driven narratives have the capacity to recruit coalitional support, which is critical to large-scale human cooperation and social cohesion.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X24000694 | DOI Listing |
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I argue that while recruitment might explain some of the design features of historical myths, origin myths in general more importantly provide shared narrative frameworks for aligning and coordinating members of a group. Furthermore, by providing in-group members with shared frameworks for interfacing with the world, the contents of myths likely facilitate the selection of belief systems at the group-level.
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Article Synopsis
- Sijilmassi et al. propose that historical myths function as a cognitive technology that helps gather group support.
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